Self-lubricating valve



Patented .lune 10, i941l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFKIE4 2.244.928 snLr-Luloarmo VALVE. Homer J. Waddell, Baltimore, Ohio Application August 1o, 1940, serial No. 352,095

11 Claiml.

This invention relates generally to valves' and is particularly directed to a valve of the plug type wherein means are provided to maintain a conthe relatively movable other semi-solid lubrior oilcan's. These requirements cause the lubrlcation of the valves suit, they become difficult to operate.

The primary purpose of this invention is the provision of a plug valve which will avoid the above mentioned objections by being formed with means to keep the movable parts constantly supplied with a lubricating medium, and having means formed with the valve to cause the lubricating medium to flow under pressure to the desired points when the 'valve is actuated to control fluid now therethrough.

An object also resides in providing a valve having a body and a plug, the latter being rotatably positioned in the former to control iluid ow therethrough, the socket in which the plug is-positioned having grease grooves in open communication with a chamber wherein a piston is movably positioned, the piston serving to' apply pressure to the grease and being connected with the plug in such manner that movement of the latter to open or close thevalve will cause movement of the piston in the chamber. A

A further object resides in disposing the aforementioned grease grooves in diametrically opposed relation and positioning them in close proximity to the inlet and outlet ports, the valve body also being provided with means to limit the degree of rotation of the plug in order to prevent the registration of -the port in the plug with the grease grooves. Such a measure is essential since the lubricant is under pressure at certain times and if` the port registered with the grooves, the grease might flow into the port and be wasted.

A still further object is to provide the inner end of the valve plug with sprial threads which receive a piston, the latter being non-rotatably positioned in a chamber in the valve at the inner end of the plug. Thus when the plug is revolved, the piston will be moved longitudinally of the chamber, the pitchl of the threads being such thatthe piston will move substantially the full length of the chamber when the plug is rotated 90 degrees.

Anothe object resides in providing the mayv to be neglected and as a rel y ent form of valve wherein the with taperedpins to serve as guide means for the piston, the lpins being positioned in straight walled holes in the piston so that the amount of clearance between the pins and the walls of the openings will decrease as the piston approaches the end of its inward travel and increased pressure will be applied to the body of grease between the piston and the inner end of the chamber. Thus when the piston nearly reaches the end of its travel, 'the increased pressure will cause the grease to now into the grooves in the socket wall and from there into the minute spaces between the plug and the valve body.

Another object resides in terminating the grease receiving recesses in spaced relation from `the upper and lower ends of the socket in the body to provide a continuous ring-like seat at each end of the plug, the latter having longitudinally extending passages in open communication with the lubricant chamber and laterally extending portato permit the lubricant to now from the passagesto the seats, the plug also being formed with annular grooves in. registration with the lateral ports so that grease issuing therefrom may be conducted' completely around the plug and be deposited upon the seatsv whereby the valve willy be completely lubricated at all times.

vIt is an object also to provide a slightly diiferbody is formed with a lubricant groove adjacent the inlet port and another groove adjacent to the r ytioned in the body opposite side of the outlet port, a plug being posito control the now from the inlet to the outlet port and having longitudinally extending grease grooves latter grooves being so disposedthat when the plug is in valve opening position, the groove therein will be positioned in a plane at right angles to that occupied by the grooves in the body, or in other words. the grooves in the plug will `be disposed adjacent to the inlet and outlet ports bakt on opposite sides thereof from the grooves in thl body. Thus when the plug is moved to a valve closing position, the grooves in the plug will substantially register with those in the body and at no ,time will they register with the ports in the body.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view `taken through a valve formed in accordance with the present invention and showing the same in a closed position; l Fig. 2' is a horizontal sectional view taken on the, plane indicated by the lIneII-II of Fig. 1

to one side of.

in the side surfaces, the

' ter-bored as at 9 and showing the plugin a position to provide for uid ilow;. l

Fig. 3 is a detail horizontal sectional view taken on the plane indicatedby the line III-III of Fig. 1;

. Fig.' 4 is a partial vertical sectional view taken through. the casing of the valve shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the plug used in the valve;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line VI-VI of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken through a slightly different form of valve, the plug being shown in a valve opening position'.

Fig. 8I is a perspective view of the plug used in the valve shown in Fig. 7.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I designates the valve body. This member may be formed from cast iron or other suitable material and is provided with a longitudinally extending passage 2 having the ends threaded asat 3 for connecting the valve body in a pipe line. Between the threaded portions, the body is provided with a tapered socket which extends at right anglesfto the passage and divides inlet and outlet ports 8 and 5.

the same into 'I'he lower end of the tapered socket connects with a lubricant receiving chamber 6 having a diameter somewhat greater than the ,largest diameter of the tapered socket. The lower endof the chamber 6 is threaded as at 1 to receive a cap member 8 which prevents the escape of the lubricant from the chamber.

The upper end of the tapered socket is counto receive the circular extension i0 formed on a plugretaining gland II'. This .member has a plurality of openings I2 through which bolts I3 extend vto receive it to the body i. The central portion of the member I I has an opening formed therein through which the stem I4 upper end of the stem vis provided with flattened sides to form wrench receivlngsurfaces for the reception of a. tool used to impart turning movement to the stem. Where the stem It connects to the plug, an annular shoulder I6 is formed for engagement bythe lower surface of the extension AIl). Thus, -when the screws I3 are threaded into the valve body, the extension I0 will engage the shoulder I'S and force the valve from the ends of the 23 in horizontal registration of the valve plug I5 projects. The

plug into firm engagement with the walls of the l socket.`

As illustrated in Figs. -2 and 4, the socket wall has a pair of diametrically opposed lubricant receiving recesses I'I formed therein, these recesses terminating in spacedrelation from the ends of the socket and being located on opposite1 sides of the longitudinal center of the passage 2. One of the ports is disposed in close proximity to the inlet side of the valve while the other is located adjacent to the outlet port.

As shown Ain Figs. 1 and 3, the stem It of the plug has a laterally directed projection I8 which is received in a slot I 9 formed in the member II. The slot I9 extends substantially `90 degrees around the openingnfor the 'stem and the end portions serve as stop means for the plug by engaging the sides of the projection I8. By reason of the shoulders at the ends of the slot, the plug willbe limited to rotation through an angle of 90 degrees.

When the plug is in the position shown in Fig. 1, a transverse port 20 will be disposed crosswise of the valve body and communicationv berupted. After the tance suflicient to cause the enga-gement of the. projection I8 with the other; end of the slot I9. the plug will be in the position shown in Fig. 2 wherein the inlet and outlet ports will be connected by the port in the plug. At no time during the rotation of the plug will the port therein register with the recesses I1.

It will be noted in Fig. 4 that due to the termination' of the recesses I1 in spaced relation socket, the wall of the socket will have uninterrupted end portions which form ring-like seats. The recesses are connected by means of bored openings 2i with the lubricant chamber at the lower end of the body. This chamber is also in communication with a pair of passageways 22 formed in the side portions of the plug and extending longitudinally thereof. 'Ihe plug is formed as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 with annular grooves with the ring-like seats and laterally extending branch passages connect the passages 22 with the grooves 23. Thus when lubricant is introduced into the chamber 6, and pressureis applied to such lubricant, it will ow upwardly through the openings 2I to the recesses I'I and also quantities of the lubricant will iiow through the passages 22 and the branches to thegrooves `23. If suilcient pressure .is applied, thin lms of lubricant will flow from the grooves 23 into the minute spaces between the plug and the seats. Some of the lubricant will also flow from the grooves H into the space between the intermediate portion of the plug and the socket wall. When the plug is turned, this lubricant will serve to reduce the .the chamber. The openings 25 have diameters corresponding substantially to the largest diameter of the guide pins so that as piston approaches the inner end of the chamber, the space between the side walls of the guide openings and the pins will be reduced.

To move the'piston in the chamber, the plug I5 has an extension 23 at its lower end which piston 2d. Inasmuch as the piston is held against rotary movement by the guide pins, rotation character that flow therethrough. It is possible to sides of the around the guide pins and into the upper portion of the chamber 6. Then when the plug is turned inthe opposite direction, the lubricant will be forced upwardly into the passages 2| and 22. As the clearance between the guide pins and openings decreases, when the piston moves upwardly, the pressure 4 sages will increase and some of the be caused to flow between the plug asbefore described.y f

It is preferable to employ spiral threads of such the piston 24 will move toward 'the inner end of the chamber i when the plug is moved to a valve closing position. Due to the resistance to inward movement of the piston by plug will be caused to seatdirmly in the socket and any tendency for leakage to develop will be minimized. turned in the opposite directiomthe resistance offered by the grease piston will tend to unseat the plug, thus making the valve easier to operate when moved from a closed to an open position.

It will pitch of the spiral threads 29 is such that the piston 2l will be caused to move substantially the full length of the chamber 8 when the plug d the socket valve has been provided which' will becons'tantly lubricated through the application of pressure on a body of lubricant contained within the valve each time the valve is operated to control fluid removel the cap at the lower end ofthe valve body and insert the required amount of. grease even Iwhen the valve is positioned pressure. Due to the formation of the lubricant grooves and-recesses and the constant application of pressure to the grease therein, the danger of iiuid seepage through the valve or to the exterior will be reduced to a minimum.

In the form of valve shown the body is identical with that of the first form of valve descri The plug lia, however, does not have internal lubricant passages nor the annular grooves but it is provided with a pair of, longitudinally extending grooves 22a in the outer These 'grooves terminate in spaced relation from the upper end of the plug and extend completely to` the lower end in order to be in communication with the lubricant chamber.

The grooves"22a are disposed ends of the transverse port in positioned on opposite sides of adjacent to the the plug and are ranged on the plug that when the is positioned in communication between Vthe inlet and outlet ports.

the grooves 22a will inlet ports from body and in a plane at right grooves. l f

When the plug is turned to interrupt fluid flow through the bodv,'the grooves 22a will substantialiy register with the grooves i1. At no time during the movement of the plug will the grooves therein be exposed to the ports, the stop member Il prevents movement of the plug to an extent which would permit the grooves 22a to be presented to the fluid passage through the valve. Such an arrangement is necessary since the lubricant in tliegrooves is under pressure and registration of the grooves with Vthe port would permit the grease to be exhausted to the pipe line.

be positioned on opposite ythe grooves I1 in the angles to the latter to the movement of the in aline containing fluid under f in Figs. FI and 8, I

the longitudinal An advantage resulting from the construction set forth lis that the lubricating constantly maintained in the mediumwill be grooves 22a under when the plug is rotated,

on the side walls o! the socket. An

the grease other advantage resides in the fact that as the grooves 22a are with this member and when open or in trade parlance is the iiuid.

formed in the plug,

they will move valve begins to slightly cracked," smooth surfaces will be presented to the passing Y wane but e' Single ferm of valve has been mustrated and described, it is obvious that many minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth What is claimed is: l. In a plug valve, a

outlet ports and a tapered socket of the invention in the following claims.

body formed-with inlet and having a chamber at the smaller end, said socket establishing communication between said ports, the wall of said socket being formed with longitudinally extending recesses connected with tapered plug positioned in said 25 adjustment, said establish communication outlet ports when said plug ladjustment,

endof said plug, a piston disposed and having an a is in said chamber, a

socket for rotary plug having a transverse port to between the inlet and one position of a threaded extension on the smaller in said chamber djustable connection with said extension, guide means carried by said body and engaging said piston to prevent turning movement thereof whereby longitudinal movement will be imparted thereto when and removable cap said chamber eating medium,

the movement said plug is rotated, means for providing access to to permit the insertion of lubriof said piston in one direction in said. chamber serving to force the lubricating medium into said recesses.

2. In a plug valve, a' body formed with inlet and having a chamber at the smaller end, said socket establishing communication said socket extending recess on one side of said between said ports,l the wall oi being formed with a longitudinally inlet port and on the opposite side of. said outlet port, a tapered plug positioned in said socket ment, said plug lish communication between ports when said plug is ment, a threaded extension on said plug, a piston disposed the having a transverse for rotary adjustportto estabinlet and outlet in one position of adjustthe smaller end of in said chamber and having an adjustable connection with said extension, guide means carried engaging said piston ment'thereof be imparted thereto when said and removable capdmeans for' to said chamber to permit one direction the insertion eating. medium, the movement oi' said piston in;

in said 'chamber serving to force by said body and lto prevent turning movewhereby longitudinal movement will plug is rotated,

providing access I of lubrirecesses 3. In a plug valve, a body formed with inlet and outlet ports and a tapered socket ber at the smaller end, said communicaticn between said socket being connected G5 SOC with said ports, the -wall formed with longitudinally exhaving a charnket establishing v said chamber, a l

tapered plug positioned in said socket for rotary outlet ports when vend of said plug, 'meais carried hold said plug against lo ansverse port to inlet and position of the smaller by said body to al movement in with said extension,

grooves formed in the side said socket, a piston having internal threads adjustably disposed on said said piston toward said plug serving to force lubricating medium into -said recesses.

4. In a plug valve, outlet ports and a tapered socket having a chamwith said recesses, a threaded smaller end of said plug, a piston disposed in said chamber and ha an adjustable connection guide means carried 'by said body and engaging said piston to of the type having a body formed with inlet and outlet ports and a tapered plug rotatably disposedA in 'a socket in said body to cant chamber formed in the valve body at the smaller end oi' the plug. lubricant receiving grooves formed in the side wall of the plug socket the type having a body formed ports and a 7. In a valve of with inlet and outlet ,1.1; .n lubricant receiving grooves formed in the side wall of the plug socket and joined at one end with said chamber, piston a body formed with inlet and ecb said chamber, said piston having' guide openings formed therein, guide pins carried bythe valve the valve body at lubricant receiving Wall of the plug bricant chamber formed in the smaller end of the plug, grooves formed in, the side 9. A plug valve comprising a body having inlet and outlet ports and a taperedsocket between said ports, said body having a chamber at the small end of said socket and a pair of diametri- I mounted for longitudinal movement in 75 cally opposed lubricant receiving recesses, said recesses terminating in spaced relation from the and saidv passages. 10. A plug valve let 11. A plug valve comprising a body having inletY and outlet ports and a tapered socket between said ports, said body having a chamber at the small end of said socket and a pair of diametrically opposed lubricant receiving recesses, said recesses terminating in spaced relation from the ends of said socket to provide continuous annular seats, said body lish communication between said chamber and said recesses, a plug positioned for turning movementin said socket, said plug having a transverse port to connect said inlet and outlet ports when said plug is in one position of adjustment, a passage extending longitudinally of Isaid plug and .communicating with said chamber at one end, a plurality of having passages to establateral branch passages extending from said longitudinal'passage to the exterior' of said plug in registration with the annular seats in said body, annular grooves encircling said plug in registration with said branch passages, a piston disposed for longitudinal adjust-,ment in said chamber, and means connecting said piston to said plug whereby rotation of the latter will cause longitudinal movement of the 'former in said chamber, movement of said piston in one direction serving to force a lubricating substance .into said recesses and said passages.

HOMER J. WADDELL. 

